Display package



March 26, 1968 s. CHINKES DISPLAY PACKAGE 2 Sheets$heet 1 Filed April 15, 1967 'IFIG.

a 2b 6 36 J44 INVENTOR. 3 M CHM/K55 FIGZ S. CHINKES DISPLAY PACKAGE March 26, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 13, 1967 v INVENTOR. 5AM Cl-l/NKES Arrbe 5/5 United States Patent ABSTRACT on THE DISCLOSURE A packaging tray for small articles whichis provided withadhesive coated platforms upon which the articles are removably adhered. j

Fragile'or sensitive articles such as-con fectionery and fine candies in particular have heretofore been packaged in boxes having paper divider grids or individually formed paper or foil cups placed in close proximity to each other to prevent shifting. The advent of vacuum formed sheet plastics permitted the use of trays having individually shaped recesses or pockets to receive the pieces. Such formed trays offer the advantage of maintaining the individual pieces in their proper place as other pieces are removed, whereas the previously used paper cups and dividers fail to prevent shifting after a number of pieces are removed. None of theabove packaging techniques permit the open box to be jostled or dropped without disturbing the order of the pieces. To prevent disarrangement of pieces resulting from accidental inversion of the boxesduring shipment, the pieces are restricted to a generally uniform height which is evenly related to the inside. height ofthe box. Each of the above packaging techniques necessarily requires packaging material surrounding each piece which masks from view the sides of the pieces as well as-frequenty interferes with removal of the individual pieces.

This invention has for its objectives the provision of a package which attractively displays and securely holdsseparate individual pieces of a variety of sizes and shapes in a manner which permits easy removal. 3 i

The present invention provides for adhesive attachment of individual articles to a formed tray member. The articles are attached by means of adhesive to raised platforms or pedestals. Shifting and disarrangement is thereby prevented. Inversion of the tray will not displace any of the attached articles.

When the adhesive attachment of the present invention is employed with a, tray member having individual projections upon which articles such as candy pieces are attached, the pieces appear to float above the base plane of the tray in a most attractive manner. Each of the pieces is fully visible thereby providing a more effective display for fine candies. The individual pieces are readily removable since they are each fully exposed to the users grasp.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention for use with candies will be described with reference to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an open candy box partially filled with candy of various configurations,

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 22 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section of another embodiment of the present invention, and

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section of a still further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, box 1 is provided with a formed tray 2 having a plurality of raised platforms or projections 3. Since the-majority of fine candies are fashioned with flat bottoms, the top surfaces 5 of the projections are correspondingly flat. These surfaces 5 lie above the base plane 4 of the tray. An adhesive coating 6 is applied over at least a portion of the top surfaces 5 to secure candy pieces 7 through 12 or the like to the top surfaces.

' Certain types of candy pieces 10 are provided in formed paper or foil cups 13. The cups 13 are secured to platforms 3 by means of adhesive 6. Similarly, the wrapper of wrapped pieces 7 is secured to the platform. Larger pieces of candy 8 may be secured to a plurality of platforms 3 or large pieces 9 may be secured to an elongate platform 3a.

To promote the attractive floating effect and to promote ease of removal of individual pieces, the dimensions of the platforms 3 are kept smaller than the size of the pieces to permit the pieces to over-hang the top surface 5 of the platforms. The platforms 3 are thus hidden from view until a piece is removed. The size and shape of the platforms may be varied to suit the individual pieces as is illustrated by comparison of platforms 3a and 3b in FIG- URE 2. The top surface 5 of the platforms may be contoured to accommodate the shape of the individual piece, as for example, a concave surface 5d on platform 3d which accommodates a generally spherical piece 11.

The tray 2 may be embossed or debossed in a decorative pattern or in the form of lettering 14. Similarly, the plastic may be printed before or after forming into a tray.

The tray may also be formed with a regular overall pattern of identical projections. Such a tray pattern per mits packing differing varieties of pieces with a standardized stock tray. The inventory requirements of the packer are thereby reduced. Conventional formed trays having recesses'or pockets conforming to the silhouette of the individual pieces had to be stocked in many varieties to accommodate the different assortments packed. According to the present invention, a tray having such a regular pattern of projections may be utilized with one piece per platform, as is shown in FIGURE 3, or the platforms may be reduced in relative size and made more numerous such that each piece is attached to more than one platform, as is shown in FIGURE 4. Such stock trays are capable of accommodating a wide variety of piece sizes and shapes. They may be made severable by suitable perforated break lines or the like to permit use of a stock tray with several box sizes.

The height of projections may also be varied to suit the pieces. Where desired, high and low pieces may be positioned on appropriate height projections to present a generally level plane of pieces. On the other hand, the height of projections may be varied to cause the pieces to occupy different planes. A pattern of alternate high and low projections will permit packing plural layers without need for separating sheets or plural trays. A plurality of stacked trays may be provided in a box.

The adhesive coating 6 should be a pressure sensitive or a contact adhesive which possesses adequate tackiness to retain the articles while permitting easy removal. It may be desirable that the adhesive remain adequately tacky throughout the storage life of the articles to insure retention and to permit replacement of a removed article. Some applications may benefit from the use of a non-tacky adhesive to prevent replacement or exchange of removed articles. Where the articles are edibles, such as candies, the adhesive must be compatible with the candy and posses no properties deleterious to flavor or appearance. I have found several adhesives which meet the above characteristics for use with fine candies. In particluar, a latex based adhesive sold by Adhesive Products Corporation, Bronx, N.Y., under the name Polystix #3731" is preferred for use with chocolate covered fine candies. In addition, various plasticized polyvinyl acetate resins and copolymers, acrylic copolymers and 3 various dissolved resins such as acrylics are suitable. Where the adhered articles are not edibles, the choice of adhesive is broadened to include a wide range of pressure sensitive adhesives as well as solvent evaporative, polymerizable, and thermoplastic or hot melt adhesives.

The formed tray 1 is preferably vacuum formed, or formed with dies from sheet thermoplastic material such as styrene, acetate, vinyl, polyethylene, etc., and copolymers thereof. The tray may also be formed from polystyrene or other plastic foam, or from paper or metal foil.

The present invention is applicable to the dispensing of pharmaceuticals in capsule or tablet form. Tablets so packaged are well protected from damage and the number of tablets taken is immediately observable. Where the tablets are to be taken in accordance with a time schedule,

I the time or date may be imprinted or embossed on the top surface of the projection so that removal of the tablet exposes the indicia. It is immediately apparent when a dose is overlooked and thus the package serves as a tangible reminder. Similarly, indicia may be proided adjacent to the platforms where they are always visable.

The invention may also be employed for packaging small or fragile articles such as electronic components to prevent damage or loss. The package may be utilized to assure proper sequence and completeness of assembly of units by positioning the components on their appropriate platforms in the order of that sequence. Identifying indicia and instructions may be provided on the tray and platforms.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to a box and a separate inserted tray, it is apparent that the raised platforms may be formed in a member which also serves as the box, and which may have a separate or integral lid or cover.

I claim:

1. A display tray for a candy package comprising a formed plastic sheet having a plurality of raised platforms each adapted to contact the lower surface of a candy piece, said platforms being related in dimension to the candy pieces such that each platform is substantially 4 I 1 hidden fromview when the candy is in place, said platforms having a permanently tacky contact adhesive coating on their top surfaces whereby candy pieces may be removably adhered to said platforms.

2. The display tray of claim 1 wherein the top surface of the raised platforms is configured to the approximate shape of the lower surface of the candy piece to be adhered thereon.

3. A packaging device for plural small articles comprising a formed tray member having a plurality of raised individual article receiving platforms each having a top surface adapted to contact portions of the surface of an article and a contact adhesive coating on said platform surfaces to removably attach the articles to said surfaces.

4. A packaging device as set forth in claim 3 where-- in the contacting surfaces of said individual platforms is provided with indicia which are exposed upon removal of the articles.

5. A packaging device for a plurality of small articles comprising a sheet having a plurality of raised areas each adapted to contact an article to be packaged and an adhesive coating on said raised areas for adhereing said articles to said raised areas.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the adhesive coating is permanently tacky to permit removal and readhesion of the articles.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the raised areas are formed in a configuration corresponding to the contacted portion of the surface of the articles.

References Cited UNITED THERON E. CONDO-N,Primary Examiner.

LOU IS G. MANCENE, Examiner. J. B. MARBERT, Assistant Examiner. 

